While college coaches were studying his statistics, Justin Doran did some number-crunching of his own.

After researching several schools, the 17-year-old outfielder from Chatham chose to play next year at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill.

The Warriors are annually among the top 25 Division I baseball teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

“They were probably the closest to a (NCAA) Division I school,” said Doran, a Grade 12 student at Chatham-Kent Secondary School. “And on top of that, they are really competitive. They always have winning seasons. And their graduation rate is extremely high.”

Wabash Valley's graduation/transfer rate is in the top 99 percentile.

The Warriors are sending 14 players to four-year schools next season: 12 to NCAA Division I programs and two to the NAIA.

That's the route Doran wants to follow after playing two years at Wabash Valley. He explored some NCAA schools this year before opting for the junior college.

“It's less of a culture shock going from high school to a two-year school,” he said. “The school's a lot smaller than most Division I schools are.”

The six-foot-one Doran enjoyed a standout season this year with the Windsor 18U Selects, batting .358 with a .429 on-base percentage and .486 slugging percentage. He also played for Team Ontario at the Baseball Canada Cup.

“We are extremely excited on Justin's decision to continue his bright future at Wabash Valley College,” Warriors head coach Rob Fournier wrote to the Daily News. “He has a unique skill set, with his athleticism and versatility, we are really looking forward to developing his talents! It's a great fit for all of us.”

Doran contacted Wabash Valley by e-mail and sent a highlights video from his fall season. The Selects played this fall against some NAIA and junior college teams, so he saw what to expect next year at school.

“I did not too bad,” he said. “... I batted pretty well against them.”

Doran helped Team Ontario to a sixth-place finish at the Baseball Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, Alta., in August.

He tied for first on the team in batting average (.333) and RBIs (four). He was second in hits (seven), slugging percentage (.429) and OPS (.820) while not making an error in the field.

The speedy, strong-armed outfielder also played earlier in the season at the prestigious Junior Sunbelt Classic in McAlester, Okla., with an all-star select team.

Those tournaments showed scouts he could handle himself against top-notch talent.

“It definitely helped,” he said. “Being selected on those teams shows you can play at a higher level of competition.”

He'll work out this winter in Windsor with the 18U Selects before indoor baseball practices start in February.

“It's pretty relieving not having to worry about finding a school last-minute,” he said. “It takes a lot of pressure off.”